| Faced with my own furniture dilemma recently, | | | | decorative buttons, or adding a little lace. |
| I thought what a great opportunity for me to | | | | This project can easily be made from leftover |
| share ideas with you on how to turn around | | | | curtain fabric and scraps lying around your |
| that tired piece of furniture, without having | | | | sewing room. |
| to spend big bucks! So here it is, secrets | | | | |
| from The Budget Decorator on transforming | | | | Next on the list is what is known as |
| your furniture from trash to TFTE! (Treat For | | | | "hardgoods". Tables, chests, entertainment |
| The Eyes!) | | | | centers. A fast and inexpensive way to |
| | | | transform these items is, you guessed it, |
| One of the most expensive items in our rooms | | | | paint. Almost anything can be painted these |
| is our furniture, and we can't always afford | | | | days, including laminate. Simply prime it |
| to just replace it when it gets worn, | | | | with a product specifically made for |
| outdated, or just no longer works in your | | | | non-porous surfaces...I like BIN or KILZ. |
| room. | | | | Then just use ordinary housepaint. Wood |
| | | | finishes can be just sanded and painted. |
| The number one concern for those trying to | | | | |
| update existing furniture is slipcovers. Now, | | | | Consider trying your hand at decorative |
| unless you are an experienced seamstress, | | | | painting or faux finishing for designed |
| sewing fitted slipcovers is no easy task. | | | | effects. I suggest visiting a few web sites |
| However, fortunately today's trends lean | | | | for ideas like or |
| towards casual, and that includes furniture. | | | | |
| | | | Another tight budget option for covering worn |
| Here are instructions for some simple, casual | | | | or outdated furniture includes using fabric |
| covers that almost anyone can do. | | | | on door and drawer fronts. You can use |
| | | | leftover fabric, fabric from thrift stores or |
| First of all, use sheets instead of pieced | | | | garage sales, or search your own closet. |
| fabric, it is MUCH easier and cheaper! | | | | Simply cut the fabric slightly larger than |
| Measure your furniture, and buy a sheet size | | | | the drawer or door front, then use a staple |
| that will cover your furniture piece without | | | | gun to adhere it to the back, stretching it |
| it's cushions, tucked in and around the | | | | snug as you go. Try painting the rest of the |
| arms.(Don't forget to check out garage sales | | | | piece a color picked out of the fabric for a |
| for good deals!) Use decorative cording if | | | | great coordinated look. |
| you like to tie around the "skirt" area to | | | | |
| give it a more structured look. Simply tuck | | | | The last option I am going to throw out there |
| ends under the couch or chair.( You could | | | | is mosaic tiling. This can be very frugal if |
| even tape or staple the ends to the bottom of | | | | you have leftover tiles from another project, |
| the piece, if you wanted.) Now take each of | | | | or ask your local tiling center if they have |
| your cushions and look at it as if you are | | | | broken tiles they would let you have. Another |
| wrapping a gift. Cut a piece large enough for | | | | good place to look for free mosaic materials |
| your cushion, wrap it like a present, and | | | | is at residential construction sites, |
| safety pin it to the underside of the | | | | especially ones that are more upscale. Always |
| cushion. (Who's gonna see it?) Add a few | | | | ask first, but there are always broken tiles |
| pillows and a throw, and you have changed the | | | | when an installation has taken place, and |
| entire look of your furniture for little | | | | it's only going to get hauled to the dump! |
| money, the covers are washable, and you can | | | | |
| make one for each season if you want. | | | | Mosaic can be as simple as laying broken tile |
| | | | in a random pattern and gluing in place, to |
| Sheets, blankets, and quilts can all be used | | | | laying out intricate patterns, and grouting |
| for this project, and can be found at garage | | | | and sealing your project. You can use it on |
| sales, thrift stores, and maybe even your own | | | | table or dresser tops, drawer fronts, or even |
| linen closet. Try wrapping the cushions with | | | | a door itself! You can even produce the |
| another, different fabric from the room. | | | | illusion of mosaic by using decorative paper |
| Remember, this is all about casual style, and | | | | in the same manner, cut it into irregular |
| slipcovers are definitely stylish! | | | | shapes, and glue it on! |
| | | | |
| Even dining room chairs can be slipcovered. | | | | Whatever you choose to do to update your |
| Simply make an open envelope of fabric to fit | | | | furniture, impose your own style, take your |
| over the back of the chair, similar to a | | | | time, and be proud of your creation! |
| pillowcase. If you like, this can be dressed | | | | |
| up by tying it with cord or ribbon, sewing on | | | | Copyright 2002 K. |